BOOK REVIEW: Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Ugly Love
by Colleen Hoover
Published by Atria Books on August 5th, 2014
Genres: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult
Edition: eBook
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When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly.

Tate Collins And Miles Archer aren't lovers. They aren't even friends. But they surely can't deny the mutual attraction going on between them. No strings attached, no feelings, no falling in love, which is great. He doesn't want love, she doesn't have time for love. But Miles has his own particular set of rules for Tate. Number one, never ask about the past. And number two, don't expect a future. Easy peasy, Tate can handle it, can't she?

This book destroyed me. A perfect paradox. BEAUTIFULLY UGLY.

Hearts get infiltrated. Promises get broken. Rules get shattered. Love gets ugly. 

This is the first time I've read a Colleen Hoover novel, and suffice to say, I was not expecting to get highly emotional with this read. In fact, through the first few pages, I did not expect to enjoy reading it after some time; I should have given Ms. Colleen Hoover the benefit of the doubt. 

Reading this began from a "read along" with Tika, Mallory and Jennie, a couple of book bloggers that I've become good friends with. A four day read that turned into weeks due to waiting up for each other was probably one of the factors that got me wanting to finish this book due to its consistent cliffhangers at every end of every chapter. I've never read a book with lots of cliffhangers like this one. In fact, the crime and mystery novels I've read didn't have much cliffhangers compared to this book. Needless to say, I was itching to finish this book.

Ugly Love is written in first person narrative, a chapter each for Tate and Miles. Tate narrates the present day, meanwhile, Miles narrates a flashback to six years ago back in his high school days as a senior.

A registered nurse studying a few extra courses, Tate Collins decides to live with her brother, Corbin, in order to be closer to campus. Imagine her surprise when she sees a drunk guy passed out in front of her brother's door on the day she moves in and later on realizes that the drunkard is her brother's best friend. First impressions always matter. And her first impression on Miles Archer wasn't close to okay. 

Miles Archer comes off as a depressed individual, for certain reasons. He doesn't talk about his past and often keeps to himself. He basically comes off as mysterious, stoic and reserved, barely smiling. He works as an airline pilot and lives right across the hall from Corbin. Being attracted to Tate was something he least expected but that can be arranged, since the feeling is obviously mutual. 

"I suppose if a man lived through the ugliest side of love, he might never want to experience it again."

They both want each other, but Miles doesn't want to inflict a sense of promise. He's got two rules: no asking about his past, and no expecting for a future. Simple as that.

As this book has made me want to crumple up in a corner, I still could not give it the complete 5 stars. Why? Miles Archer, that's what. Miles Archer RUINED me. I have mixed feelings regarding his character, whether I should love him or not. Reading about him, especially in flashback to six years ago with his high school sweetheart, Rachel, was like an emotional roller coaster. He's basically a bipolar character towards Tate, ranging from sweet to a total jerk. But he brings the ache and pain in the story. He did, however, go through one of the most greatest character development I've ever read.

"And I realized... just now... that God gives us the ugliness so we don't take the beautiful things in life for granted."

Despite my previous commentary, I loved the rest of the characters of the realistic manner they were written in. Tate was a truly relatable, as any normal girl should be, in terms of life and relationships, however, in some scenarios, she comes off as frustrating to read, just like Miles. The secondary characters actually served a purpose and weren't just added in the story for the sake of content. 

This book is definitely placed in my favorite New Adult reads shelf, let's say if I did have one. A highly recommended read.